Bringing you News that Counts
Bringing you News that Counts
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January 19, 2010
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Palm Beach County government’s news and information program, On 20, is marking a major milestone —- its 100th edition on PBC TV Channel 20. But don’t expect the 100th show to be a self-congratulatory celebration with balloons and confetti. It’s never been about that.
Since January 2003, the Public Affairs-produced program has been providing an inside look at the workings of county government, including key decisions by the Board of County Commissioners, features on county employees, programs and services, and special events from around Palm Beach County. And although some of the names and faces have changed along the way, the objective has not. On 20 continues to bring you the best of Palm Beach County in an informative, fast-paced and insightful fashion.
Co-anchor Mark Esterly has been behind the anchor desk for every episode of On 20. In addition to his on-camera duties, the long-time journalist writes many of the stories. Leilani Yan has shared the anchor desk with Esterly since 2004. She is also the host of the Channel 20 interview program, County Connection. Yan is the third female co-host in the show’s seven-year history. The first was Julie Brechbill followed by Christine Cristofek.
Gathering the video content for On 20 is the work of Channel 20’s producer/directors. They write, shoot and edit the stories that appear in each show. Some also contribute as field reporters along with Public Affairs staffers.
On 20 airs four times per week on Channel 20: Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m., Friday at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. To watch On 20 and other programs on demand, go to the county homepage, pbcgov.com, and click on “Local Programs” under “Channel 20.” You can also see the current program schedule by clicking on “Program Guide.”
Volunteers Help Restore Oyster Reefs
On Saturday, Dec. 12, more than 150 volunteers and Environmental Resources Management (ERM) staff gathered at the Town of Lantana’s Bicentennial Park to fill more than 1,200 netted bags with 24 tons of fossilized shell. The filled bags were transported across the Ocean Avenue Bridge to the Lantana Nature Preserve where volunteers formed a “bivalve brigade” to place the bags along the shoreline of the Lake Worth Lagoon.
The bagged shell will provide a stable base for the development of new oyster reefs, attracting numerous species of fish and invertebrates and filtering the water. This will help create new estuarine habitat and improve water quality throughout the lagoon.
The Lake Worth Lagoon is Palm Beach County’s largest estuary, extending about 20 miles from the Village of North Palm Beach to the Town of Ocean Ridge. Oysters are found in several locations and are an important part of a healthy estuarine system. Juvenile oysters attach themselves with a glue-like substance to rocks, shell or adult oysters. However, the availability of hard surfaces for attachment is limited throughout the lagoon.
This project is the result of the successful collaboration between the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners through its Department of Environmental Resources Management, the Town of Lantana, the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative (www.LWLI.org) and local residents.
With 12 international ports of entry and a favorable climate, Florida provides an ideal new home for invading plant pests, diseases and noxious weeds.
Laurel wilt is a disease of avocado, the native redbay and laurel trees. It is caused by a fungus that stops the flow of water going up the tree causing the tree leaves to wilt. The fungus is carried into the tree by the redbay ambrosia beetle that was first detected in the United States in 2002 and in Florida in 2005.
The laurel wilt disease infestation has spread west and south in Florida. Infested avocado trees have been reported in Duval and Brevard counties. So far, the redbay ambrosia beetle has not been detected in Miami-Dade County or Palm Beach County. The Florida avocado industry is the state’s second-largest fruit industry (behind citrus) and is worth $30 million at the wholesale level. In addition to commercial production, many homeowners in South Florida have backyard avocado trees. These trees form an important part of the urban canopy and contribute economic, aesthetic and environmental benefits, adding as much as 10 percent to residential property values. They provide shade and wildlife habitat and improve air quality.
There are at least 30 species of ambrosia beetle in Florida. Unlike most other ambrosia beetles in Florida, the redbay ambrosia beetle attacks healthy trees. It is very small (about 2 mm long) dark brown to black and is cylinder-shaped. The redbay ambrosia beetle is native to India, Japan, Myanmar and Taiwan. The beetle was first detected in a survey trap in Port Wentworth, Georgia in 2002, probably arriving in infested solid wood packing materials such as pallets or crates used to ship commercial goods.
Symptoms of an ambrosia beetle infestation include leaf and young stem wilting, dead leaves hanging onto stems, and stem and limb dieback. Inspection of the trunk and major limbs may show dried sap from the bore holes and/or small strings of compacted sawdust (ejected wood fiber) protruding from the small bore holes along the trunk of the tree. These symptoms are suspicious for the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt disease, and the tree should be sampled to determine if the beetle and the laurel wilt disease are the cause of the symptoms.
The following are recommended:
• Report any suspicious redbay or avocado trees to the Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517.
• Redbay and avocado trees should not be moved or sold as firewood, tree trimmings, BBQ smoke wood, mulch or wood-turning material.
• Extreme caution should be used in moving live redbay and avocado trees and wood products into counties where the pest is not yet found. Insect-free and disease-free containerized host trees should only be purchased from registered nurseries, and host trees showing any signs of wilt or dieback should be destroyed immediately.
• Current recommendations for urban and rural residents with redbay or avocado trees that are confirmed to be positive for the laurel wilt disease include: cutting the tree down and placing the wood into the urban debris stream, that is, taken to the local landfill and destroyed or buried or composting the tree by cutting the tree to the ground, placing all wood or chips on top of the stump and covering with a tarp all the way to the ground.
For more information on how to build compost piles, visit the Cooperative Extension Service at 531 North Military Trail or the master gardener volunteer help desk Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 233-1750.
Keep your pets safe and warm during winter cold spells. Winter weather can be deadly for pets even in typically warmer climates such as Florida where pets are not accustomed to colder temperatures.
Follow these simple tips to assure your pet stays safe and warm during the winter season:
• If the temperature falls below 40 degrees, all pets need to be brought indoors or provided adequate heating to keep them warm (i.e. extra blankets, coats, heaters).
• During the winter, outdoor cats will search for warmer hiding places, such as under the hoods of cars. Honk your horn or tap the hood of your car before starting the engine so they can escape.
• Puppies and many small breed dogs do not tolerate the cold very well. If your dog is sensitive to the cold because of age, illness or breed type, be sure not to leave them outdoors for long periods of time.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. A longer coat will provide more warmth. Consider getting a coat or sweater for short-haired breeds.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep that is away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
• Provide your pet with plenty of food and water. Be sure it does not freeze over if left outside.
If you do not have a pet to keep warm during the winter season, consider saving a life and adopting a shelter pet. Animal Care and Control is located at 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, just west of the Florida Turnpike overpass. For additional information, please contact Elizabeth Harfmann at 561-233-1222 or e-mail pbcacc@pbcgov.org or visit www.pbcgov.com/animal.
Consumer Trap & Tip: New Year’s Weight Loss Resolutions
Trap
Amanda from Royal Palm Beach resolved last year to lose 30 pounds by the end of 2009. Instead, she gained an additional 15 pounds. It’s a new year, and she has decided to start a new weight loss program, take supplements and join a fitness club. How does she make the right choices?
Tips
Many decide to lose weight as a New Year ’s resolution. Here are some tips to help make the right choices.
• Check with your doctor first. Some medical conditions may limit your ability to participate in a weight loss program or use specific exercise equipment.
• Consider exercise and fitness classes provided by nonprofit agencies or community centers. These allow you to try new activities for minimal costs.
• Weight loss plans vary in method, structure and price. Carefully consider all components of the plan to decide what works best for you.
• Research the use of supplements or vitamins and check with your doctor. Many of these supplements can negatively interact with prescription medication.
• Carefully review any contract you are asked to sign. Don’t depend on the sales presentation to make your decision. Any promises not included in the written contract will not be part of the agreement.
• Don’t be pressured into making an immediate decision to join a program. Any valid offer will allow the consumer time to consider all terms.
• If the offer sounds too good to be true, STOP! It probably is.
For more information, call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 712-6600 (Boca/Delray residents call 888-852-7362 toll free) or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer to check complaints received against weight loss centers, supplement retailers or fitness clubs you are considering.
Consumer Trap & Tip: Really Free Credit Reports
Trap
Andy from Boynton Beach had seen the funny and clever commercials on TV about “free” credit reports. The commercials were entertaining with a catchy song and they left him wondering exactly what was in his credit reports. Could he really get free credit reports by calling the number on the screen?
Tips
• The Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees access to a free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - at your request, once every 12 months. Reports can be received from all three agencies at one time, but Consumer Affairs recommends obtaining a report every four months from just one of these agencies for better monitoring.
• AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized source to get free annual credit reports under federal law. The free report can be requested online, by telephone (877-322-8228) or by mail. Details and forms for ordering online or by mail are at www.annualcreditreport.com.
• Don’t be fooled by TV ads, e-mail offers or online search results. Complaints have been received from consumers who thought they were ordering a free report but instead paid hidden fees or agreed to unwanted services. Those “free” services sometimes automatically convert to credit card charges if you do not cancel within a specified time period. A good source for information is the Federal Trade Commission Web site, www.ftc.gov.
• Warning about imposter Web sites. They may use terms like “free report” in their names; others have URLs that purposely misspell “annualcreditreport.com.” The Web site “annualcreditreport.com” and the nationwide consumer reporting companies will NOT send e-mail asking for personal information.
For more information, contact Consumer Affairs at 712-6600 (Boca/Delray 888-852-7362 toll free), or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer.